A Pakistani reporter’s question regarding the Asia Cup controversy was stopped by the Indian media manager before India’s Women’s World Cup match in Colombo.
Asia Cup Controversy Overshadows India-Pakistan Women’s World Cup Clash
Six days after the men’s T20I Asia Cup concluded, the tournament-long controversy between India and Pakistan has spilled over into the Women’s World Cup. Ahead of Harmanpreet Kaur’s team facing Fatima Sana’s Pakistan at Colombo’s R Premadasa Stadium, tensions surfaced during India’s pre-match press conference when a Pakistani reporter tried to question the Indian side about the Asia Cup incident, only for the Indian media manager to shut it down immediately.
On Saturday, bowling coach Avishkar Salvi addressed the media. A journalist from a Pakistani channel asked whether the bitterness from the Asia Cup could affect Sunday’s game, noting that both women’s teams had shared friendly interactions leading up to the tournament. The reporter clarified he initially wanted to question captain Harmanpreet but redirected to Salvi upon learning he would attend the press conference.
While another question about Sri Lanka’s playing conditions was posed, the Indian media manager quickly intervened, stating the first question would not be answered. “Hi, just a reminder — we said we wouldn’t be taking that first question, so let’s move on to the next one,” she said.
What had happened between India and Pakistan in Asia Cup?
Amid the fallout from the handshake controversy, ICC’s rejection of Pakistan’s plea to remove match referee Andy Pycroft, and sanctions on players from both teams for incidents in earlier matches, India and Pakistan clashed in the Asia Cup final last Sunday in Dubai. Led by Suryakumar Yadav, India triumphed in a thrilling encounter to secure victory over Pakistan.
Following the win, India refused to accept the trophy from Asian Cricket Council (ACC) chief Mohsin Naqvi, who is also PCB chairman and Pakistan’s Interior Minister. Having been at the center of the handshake storm and publicly critical of India, the team chose not to appear on the closing ceremony platform with Naqvi. After a significant delay in the presentation, Naqvi himself refused to hand over the trophy and departed the venue with the silverware.